Sadly, there are not many Rory O’Moores in the world – and perhaps this is the theme of this Obituary. Recently, Australians commemorated the ANZAC tradition where that theme is reflected in: “Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn”.

And that is the loss we, particularly in the Mediation world, share with the recent passing of Rory O’Moore. Because, in every sense, Rory was a pioneer in NSW in the theatre of resolving conflict, and I refer to just some of that shortly.

Rory was one of a handful only of “ADR pioneers” in NSW, and indeed across Australia. He was the classic professional and astute Mediator, one of only a small band of ADR pioneers in numerous areas of ADR activity in NSW. It is worth considering just some of the following:

  • He was admitted as a lawyer to the NSW Supreme Court in 1974 (and ultimately to the High Court)
  • Dispute Resolution Committee of Law Society of NSW 1990-1996
  • Specialist Accreditation Mediation Advisory Committee of Law Society NSW 1997-1998, 2000-2001
  • He was a foundation Mediator and Arbitrator in the years approx. 2002–2013 with the then Workers Compensation Commission
  • His work traversed commercial disputes, as equally, those referred from Law Societies, the Courts (State and Federal), Financial Services and Loans sectors, intellectual property, Franchises, commercial and retail leases, and Farm Debt, amongst others
  • He had been a Member of the Fair-Trading Tribunal and of the Consumer, Tenancy and Trader Tribunal (2001–2011)
  • He was an Expert Determiner and Arbitrator across many equally diverse areas
  • He was, rightfully, a well-known and respected regular Trainer, Mentor and Coach for a number of ADR Agencies
  • He was one of the earlier ADR Australian practitioners accredited in dispute resolution from the Harvard University, USA

In brief, Rory’s ADR contribution to the Australian community spanned about 36 years from 1986. Not many can match that record!

Naturally, his conflict resolution advice was frequently sought, and met with his responses embracing not only experience, but also wisdom and worldliness. Rory was, with a small handful only of similar pioneers in NSW, a true and genuine promoter of bringing early peace to conflict. Therefore, his involvement, from the very earliest foundation days in large part energised and influenced the ongoing genesis of such noted ADR organisations as Australian Disputes Centre (ADC), LEADR (now Resolution Institute), Small Business Unit NSW (Retail Leases) and the Farm Debt sector and was both natural to him as it was pioneering.

Rory was a very experienced lawyer (including as a Partner with Tress, Cocks & Maddox from 1992 to 2000, and as a noted Byron Bay practitioner).

In every respect, as a wonderful person, family man, and as a genuine journeyman of bringing early peace to conflict, he will be truly missed.

Indeed, as might befit a champion athletics hurdler at Waverley College, he did not let hurdles, or any barrier, intrude upon his determination to have litigants breast the tape to the speediest conflict resolution.

Rory may truly rest in peace with this shining unique legacy.

We pass on our sincere condolences and thoughts to Rory’s widow, Helen, his daughters, Claire, and Kathleen and to all the O’Moore family. Again, his contribution to the achievement of peace in conflict across the entire community will be significantly missed.

– JOHN A McGRUTHER